110 in the Shade

Kevin is currently in rehearsal for a production of 110 in the Shade, a musical adaptation of the play, The Rainmaker.

It will open June 28th and run through August 9th. The first two weeks are a fundraising event for the theater and will star Tony award-winner Audra McDonald as “Lizzie Curry” and Tony award-nominee Will Swenson as “Bill Starbuck.”

Kevin will be playing the role of “File,” the cautious divorcee/sheriff who ends up with Lizzie. He played Starbuck several years ago in the play and is happy to have the challenge of playing a different character in such a beloved show. And he is especially thrilled to be working with such a talented cast. When we lived in NY, the whole reason Kevin wanted to perform professionally was to work with people like Audra and Will. And here he is, getting a chance to work with them in Orem, Utah! There are other VIPs coming in town, apparently. There are rumors that the director of the Broadway production will be coming to see the show, as well as the artistic director for Shakespeare in the Park/producer of the Broadway production of Hair. I think the fellow who wrote the book for the musical is coming too! As I watched the preview the other night, I realized that the show is stunning even without Will and Audra. Everyone has been working so hard and it truly shows what amazing talent there is already here in Utah.

Since we only have one car, I have been hanging out at the rehearsals and it is shaping up to be a fantastic show. The message is such a simple but sweet one and it has been an experience to see all the elements come together. I have tickets for opening night and hope that Olive won't come early! It is a bittersweet thing just because it is the last show Kevin will be doing for quite some time--what with law school starting in the fall.

Oh and FYI, for those who are planning on getting tickets, just be aware that Kevin will be out for the July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th performances for a family vacation. His understudy, Ben Hess, will be going on for him during that time. It will be a great show whoever you see, I just wanted to give anyone a heads up since we gave no previous indication he would be missing any shows!

for ticket information: http://www.haletheater.org/theater/coming_next/coming_next.php